dfed,
While I don't agree with your applications of the scriptures I see what you are trying to say. I however, would like to look at 'love your neighbor as yourself'. If I understand jw's, I believe they have so many meetings and publications because the continuous study of these, they believe brings them more knowledge of God. So you study, study, study the wt's. Yes, occasional look at the Bible to see if scripts are in there. Now, if you loved your neighbor, and who is your neighbor? All of us. If you loved them you would be as worried about their salvation as much as your own. You wouldn't give up on someone because they couldn't understand what you are trying to say. Imagine if teachers at school did that? They realize that different students sometimes need a different approach than others. The teacher adjusts to the student if possible. They allow questions and encourage research. Does the wt do that? Does all that business bring an actual personal relationship with God?
The reason for the door to door work doesn't make sense to me is exactly that. It seems to me that they really don't care about anybodies salvation really. If you don't accept their teachings right of the bat they will give up. To keep time slips seems so unbiblical and ungodly to me. If they truly cared about an individual the time slips would not be necessary. Reaching the individual would be of the upmost importance. The word of God would be the focus for the 'work'. Not how many hours someone puts in and some elder judging someones spirituality by time knocking on empty houses. They would be willing to discuss even the past history, scandals etc... People take their salvation very serious, not just jw's. You are asking them to blindly believe the wt. The fds. Yet, active jw's have never even questioned why would Jesus appoint this org over all? It is that important one must look at what Jesus had to look at at the time of the so called appointment. If you are talking eternity here, you better make darn sure that youv'e got it right. You will be held responsible. You will not be able to claim ignorance. You will be able to say I just didn't want to do the work at the time. You are asking people to believe something I don't think you or any jw can answer. Why would Jesus appoint the wt over everything? why? What were they and they alone teaching that was so special? If God somehow chose the wt over all, then you better be able to tell my why. And then you better be able to tell my why God changes his mind so often. If God is in charge of this org. there should not be so many changes. Even atheists know that the Bible says God is the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
As for knowing them by their fruits, can't you see all the human wreckage produced by the wt are the fruits of the wt? That is what the wt produces. Human wreckage. Sprititual wreckage.
Jesus sat, ate, and stayed with so called sinners. Would a jw sit down for a meal with a prostitute? They won't even sit down with someone who disagrees with them. Can you not see how similar the wt is with the Pharasees?
By the way you judge you also will be judged. (sorry don't have Bible at hand, may not be word for word) The harshness you use will be used on you as well, and that's when it will really matter. How many have been turned away from Christ by the wt? I see many examples. That is what they are turning out, that is their fruit. Their unforgiving nature produces people who have given up on God because they may believe that God has given up on them. Why? Because that's what was drilled in their head by the org. If you ever dare leave us, it is the same as leaving God!
You shall know them by their fruits indeed.
carla